Arsenal's lucky number, 3, 4, 6? Errrm? 0-1?

Well how are you all? Me? Well been a bit of a lame Dog recently but thanks to the guys at Bristol I am back on both legs. Cheers guys. I also send my thoughts to Fabrice Muamba, I really hope he is on the road to recovery. I was glad to see the twitter bile was stopped in the UK by the football family. Shame on Twitter though for that redneck calling himself a Christian, allowing him to post such garbage and when reported, Twitter replied that it will not stop free speech. I am all for free speech but just nasty bile has no place in this world. I hope they re-think in the future!

Anyway why the title today? Well I have not been to idle in Hospital, reading all things Arsenal and something stuck me. Numbers seem to be playing a big part in Arsenals current form so let me explain the best I can.

3

On reading through blogs and Twitter posts it was clear that 3 is a big number for us. Firstly, thanks to our own winning streak we are now 3rd in the EPL. Not only that but also 3rd in the Home table of results but also 3rd in the Away table too. To top that off we have the 3rd best goal difference so maybe it is 3?

4

Yes 4 and that is our back four. The previously dubious defence unit has turned into the fantastic four. In the last 5 games Arsenal have fielded the same defencive line up of Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen and Gibbs and won them all. They have gone from shaky to sturdy and with TV5 finding the net as well they are now standing firm. I know it is only our second clean sheet of 2012 but it is a hell of an improvement on the beginning of the season and at last some consistency of players is bringing us results.

6

We are now on a run of played six and won six. We should have been in front at Everton on the 6th minute when Arteta played in RVP who then headed down to Ramsey. Shame it was high and wide. We have now also taken 6 points off Merseyside teams in 180 minutes of football and in most of the papers 7 of the Everton team were rated at 6. Including the ref Lee Mason. Given that back in February we were 12 points behind spuds, 2x6, it seems to figure alot. Yes the last bit is grabbing at straws but hey, I have been in hospital!

0-1

Apart from Everton we seem to be the new come back kings. Going a goal behind seems to be doing us some good recently in the fighting spirit department but of all the numbers this is my least likable one. I would rather hear the strains of "1-0 to the Arsenal" than going through the nail biting, finger chewing of going behind to the opposition.

So there you have it. My view of course and perhaps you may have other numbers, let me know if you do and I will do my best to write them up. Onwards to Saturday and we entertain Aston Villa. Due to me being lame I shall not be going but I am sure that Arsenal Ray will be doing enough shouting for me.

Last but not least this is for my Consultant. Mr Gregor. Sadly he is a Manure fan be asked me about an Arsenal song he heard on that last visit to the Emirates. He said he knew of it but was there a full version. Well just for you sir here it is and long may we Gooners continue to sing it. Also god bless the Internet for helping me find it!

A version of B'Jesus said Paddy.

When Paddy came over from Ireland
In praise of the AFC
We hadn't won an awful lot since 1953
Well he'd stand at the back of the Clock End
In the sun and the rain
Week after week for many a year
But never a trophy came
Second leg of The Fairs Cup Final
We'd already lost away
We needed to pull something out the bag
In order to save the day
Then Paddy remembered a ditty .
His father used to sing
And quickly jumped up on to his feet and started to sing it again.

So Paddy got up and he sung it again .
Over and over and over again
B' Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well
I think I'll get up and I'll sing it again.
So Paddy got up and he sung it again.

Now The Gunners they all played like heroes
To the song that Paddy had sung
And Kelly and Radford and Sammels
Made sure that the Fairs Cup was won.

The next year things got even better
The Arsenal the best in the land
We marched up the Seven Sisters Road
And invaded every stand
We covered the whole of the High Road
And all the streets around
We knew that we would win the league
When we heard a familiar sound
Ray Kennedy's header was priceless
And as Paddy sang out aloud
The Gunners were once again Champions
And The Boys had done us proud

And Paddy got up and he sang it again
Over and over and over again
B' Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well
I think I'll get up and I'll sing it again.
So Paddy got up and he sung it again

Just a few days later that we found out
As we marched along Wembley Way
That Paddy just hadn't stopped singing
Since the match on the previous Monday
Now he sung for the full 90 minutes
And he sung right through extra time

The boys done The Double
So Paddy got up and he sang it again

Over and over and over again
B' Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well
I think I'll get up and I'll sing it again.
So Paddy got up and he sung it again

Now we've won the League up at Old Trafford
We've won it at Anfield too
When Paddy was singing on Merseyside
And we had to beat them by two
We'd already won it at Tottenham
When we lifted the pot at The Lane
We liked it so much
It was such a nice touch
To go back there and win it again
So The Arsenal went back there and won it again

Over and over and over again
B' Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well
I think I'll get up and I'll sing it again.
So Paddy got up and he sung it again

Now he's travelling all around Europe
Over land and sea (and Leicester)
He's been drunk in Madrid
He's been nicked in Kiev
And he got stoned at PSV
Now wherever The Arsenal may wander
Be it Munich or Paris or Rome
They all cock an ear
And they know that we're there
When they listen to Paddy's sweet tones

And Paddy got up and he sang it again
Over and over and over again
B' Jesus said Paddy I sang it so well
I think I'll get up and I'll sing it again.
So Paddy got up and he sung it again

I will look for more Arsenal songs but maybe Arsenal Statto can help. Hint hint!
Enjoy your weekend guys.
Laters,
The Dog